The Giants made their final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft two weeks ago, but the roster-building didn’t end there.
The front office staff worked the phones to line up their undrafted free agents ahead of rookie minicamp, which is getting underway at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Later this month, the rookies will join the veterans for the first of 10 organized team practice activities (OTAs).
Before they take the field for the first time as Giants, the team announced the signings of six undrafted free agents:
- Anquin Barnes Jr., DT, Colorado
- Ben Barten, DT, Wisconsin
- Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
- Ben Mann, LS, Boston College
- Ryan Schernecke, OL, Kutztown
- Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan
Anquin Barnes Jr., DT, Colorado
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 340 | Hometown: Montgomery, Ala.
Barnes played in 23 games at Colorado with 10 starts and recorded 35 total tackles, 19 unassisted tackles, one interception, one pass breakup, and half a tackle for loss. He began his career at Alabama (2021-23).
Ben Barten, DT, Wisconsin
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 330 | Hometown: Stratford, Wis.
A four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Barten started all 12 games for the Badgers in his final season and posted a career-high 24 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack. He recorded a career-high eight tackles and a sack at Oregon. In high school, he won the Tim Krumrie Award as state’s top senior defensive lineman. He was also named the 2019 Wisconsin Small School Defensive Player of the Year. He played on the offensive and defensive line at Stratford High School, leading them to state championship appearances in 2018 and 2019.
Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Dixon broke up six passes in seven starts for the Tar Heels in 2025 but missed five games due to injury. He transferred from Washington, where he was All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2024 after leading the team with 10 pass breakups. He began his college career at Long Beach City College (2021-22). Dixon was a running back in high school and rushed for 1,018 yards and 15 touchdowns on 142 carries a senior at La Mirada. He was also a sprinter on the track team.
Ben Mann, LS, Boston College
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 232 | Hometown: Lancaster, Pa.
Mann is the grandson of Chuck Mercein, a fullback who was drafted in the third round (31st overall) by the Giants in 1965. Mercein later played for the Packers under Vince Lombardi and helped win the 1967 NFL Championship Game, known as the Ice Bowl. Prior to Boston College Mann played at Yale, where he was the starting long snapper for three seasons.
Ryan Schernecke, OL, Kutztown
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 330 | Hometown: Hatboro, Pa.
Schernecke played in 48 career games, making 45 starts. He started all 15 games for the 14-1 Golden Bears last season as they made it to the national semifinals. He was a three-time All- Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East selection with first team honors in 2024 and 2025, and a two-time D2CCA All-SR1 pick, earning First Team recognition in 2025. He was also a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award, presented annually to the top senior or graduate student lineman (offensive or defensive) in NCAA Division II.
Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 187 | Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.
Zvada picked up numerous awards throughout his decorated career. He was a first-team All-American in 2024, two-time All-Big Ten selection (2024-25), two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist, and the 2024 Big Ten Kicker of the Year. Zvada is Michigan’s single-season and career record-holder for 50-plus yard field goals made (seven). In 2024, he converted 21 of 22 attempts for a single-season program record of 95.5 percent. Prior to Michigan, he made 34 field goals over two seasons at Arkansas State.